Feed for well-drilling apparatus.



No. 890,236. PATENTED JUNE 9, 1908.

' R. G. JONES. v

FEED FOR WELL DRILLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED PEB.11. 1908.

3 SHEETS-SHEBT 1.

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PATENTED JUNE 9, 1908.

R. G. JONES. FEED FOR WELL DRILLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 11, 1908.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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No. 890,236. I I PATENTBD JUNE 9, 1908. R. C. JONES. FEED FOR WELLDRILLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED PEB.11. 1908.

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woaeo I I j dia %%%z% 35% y I ROBERT C. JONES, OF NEW CUMBERLAND, WESTVIRGINIA.

FEED FOR WELL-DRILLING- APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented JuneiQ, 1908.

Application filed February 11, 1908. Serial No. 115,428.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT C. JONEs, a citizen of the United States,residing at New Cumberland, in the county of Hancock and State of VestVirginia, have invented a new and useful Feed for Well-DrillingApparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to well drilling apparatus and more particularlyto means for automatically feeding or paying out the temper-screw, thisautomatic action being proportioned to the movement of the drilling toolso that said tool will be fed downwardly into the well only as rapidlyas it drills.

The device is more particularly designed as an improvement upon theautomatic feed ing structures disclosed in Patents No. 836,384 datedNov. 20, 1906, and No. 852,120 dated April 30, 1907 ,both issued to me.

The object of the invention is to improve upon the mechanism heretoforedevised by utilizing hydraulic means for transmitting power from thetool to the temper-screw feeding device, thus reducing the number ofworking parts and rendering the device more durable and efficient inoperation.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists of certainnovel features of construction and combinations of parts which will behereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings is shown the preferred form of theinvention.

In said drawings: Figure 1 is an elevation of the apparatus embodyingthe present improvements, a portion of the walking beam and samson postof a drilling machine being disclosed, said walking beam being partlybroken away. Fig. 2 is a vertical "section through the fluid containingportion of the mechanism. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the parts shown inFi 2 and viewed at right angles thereto. Fig. 4 is an elevation of theweight supporting slide and its guide. Fig. 5 is a detail view of theupper portion of the connecting rod to which the cable of the apparatusis connected. Fig. 6 is a plan view of one of the weights employed. Fig.7 is an enlarged side elevation of the ratchet mechanism of theapparatus. Fig. 8 is a horizontal section through the feed screw and itsreins and showing the ratchet mechanism in plan. Fig. 9 is a horizontalsection through the hydraulic cylinders. Fig. 10 is a plan view of thecentral portion of the ratchet wheel.

stirrup 1 which projects under and is bolted 'or otherwise secured tothe lower end of a hydraulic cylinder 2. A piston 3 is mounted toreciprocate within this cylinder and has a screw threaded extension 4 atits lower end on which is bolted or otherwise secured a cup 5 of leatheror other material designed to prevent leakage past the piston. Anotherthreaded extension 5 is arranged at the other end of the piston and apassage 6 extends longitudinally through the piston and its twoextensions as clearly indicated in Fig. 2. Extension 5 projects throughone end 7 of temper-screwreins 8 and said. extension is fastened tothese reins by means of an ell 9 which is screwed thereon and acts as anut to bind the reins and the piston together. This ell has a reducedthreaded extension 10 engaging one end of an ell 11. One arm of ell 11extends parallel with the cylinder 2 and constitutes a cylinder in whicha piston 12 is designed to work. A suitable stuffing box 13 is locatedat the lower end of the cylinder formed by the ell 11 and a suitableinlet opening 14 is preferably located within the upper portion of saidell and normally closed by means of a screw plug 15. The ell 11 has anintegral shoe 16 bolted or otherwise fastened to the reins 8 and a guidehead 17 is also formed with this shoe andlocated below the piston 12..

Mounted within the head 17 is a slide 18 to which the piston 12 isconnected and piv otally connected to this slide is a connecting rod 19having laterally extending ears 20 to which a small rope 21 preferablyof wire is secured. This rope extends over a sheave 22 fastened to thewalking'beam close to stirrup 1 and also over a sheave 23 fastened tothe walking beam near its bearing 24. A guide bracket 25 is secured tothe samson post A and the outstanding flanges thereof have their upperends beveled as indicated at 26. A slide 27'is mounted within thisbracket and rope 21 is secured to the upper end of this slide asindicated at 28. Slide 27 has a weight rein 29 suspended therefrom anddesigned to support a sectional weight 30 having opposite portionsnotched as indicated at 31 in Fig. 6 to receive the rein and preventdisplacement. Ashoulder 32 is formed adspring 45 is secured to one ofthe jacent the upper end of this slide and constitutes an abutment for aplunger 33 preferably formed of sections adj ustably'connected by meansof a sleeve 34. The upper end of this plunger is pivotally connected tothe walking beam at a point between thesheaves 22 and 23 as indicated at35 and a spring 36 is secured to the walking beam and exerts a constantpressure against the plunger so as to hold it normally positioned abovethe shoulder 32. Thereins Shave boxing clamps 37 at their lower endsbetween which is supported the temper-screw 38 and this screw has alongitudinal groove 39 into which projects a key 40 formed within aratchet wheel 41. This ratchet wheel is mounted to rotate upon thetemper-screw and is supported against longitudinal displacement by meansof a bracket 42 bolted or otherwise fastened to the reins 8. A slide 43is mounted in guide 44 disposed below the reins 8.

reins 8 and. a screw 46 bears thereagainst. A lug 47 is formed upon theslide and has a pawl 48 pivotally connected to and normally held inengagement with ratchet wheel 41 by means of a spring 49. A bell cranklever 50 is fulcrumed upon one of the reins 8 and the con necting rod 19is pivotally attached to one end of the lever, while the other end isslotted longitudinally as at 51 to receive a pin 52 outstanding fromslide 43. The spring 45 is designed for exerting vibrating tension uponthe boxing clamps 37 so that the temper screw may be turned out by theinfluence of weights 30 upon the relaxation of the drilling toolssubsequent to the exertion of gravity force and to prevent the screwfrom turning out under the influence of gravity force on the downwardthrust of the tools.

In using the apparatus the ells 9 and 11, passage 6' and cylinder 2 arefilled with a suitable liquid such as alcohol, which is admitted throughthe opening 14 after which said opening is closed by means of the screwplug 15. The tools are then placed within the well and fastened to therope clamps, not shown, so that they will be suspended a few inches fromthe bottom of the well. The weights 30 are then adjusted so as topractically balance the tools and hold the piston 12 in raised position.IVhen the walking beam is in action the tools are projected downwardinto the well cutting the rock in the usual manner and as the depth ofthe cut increases the gravity force of the tools upon the rope or cableis increased, thus pulling downward on piston 3 through reins 8 andcausing said piston to force the confined fluid against the piston 12.This piston will therefore be projected downward and will cause theweights 30 to ,be raised and the slide 43 to be shifted backward by thebell crank lever.

The tools, when projected downward, reach out beyond the length of thebeams move ment or stroke to strike bottom, the natural elasticity ofthe cable admitting of such reaching out. The relaxation of the cabledoes not takeplace until the end of the beam has been upraised andbegins its next downward movement. Consequently, it will be seen thatthe lower end of the spring-pressed plunger rod 33 will stand in aposition overlying shoulder 32 at the beginning of said beams downwardmovement, in which position it will exert a downwardly directed forceupon said shoulder throughout a portion of said beams downward movementfor assisting in returning the parts of the mechanism to their normalposition. In other words, substantially the first half of the beamsdownwardmovement is utilized by the plunger .rod 33 in aiding theweighted slide 27 to move downward. On the last half of the beamsmovement, the lower end of said plunger rod engages the beveled upperend 26 of the guide bracket 22 and is thereby deflected or thrust fromengagement with said shoulder 32, thus allowing the said slide 27 to beagain upraised with the outreaching movement of the downwardly projectedtools.

\Vith the relaxation of the drilling cable, as above noted, the partsassume their normal positions.v In returning to its normal position, thebell-crank 5O thrusts the slide 43 forward, and the pawl 48 carriedthereby and which engages the ratchet 41 effects a slight forwardrotation of the temper screw, thus paying out the tools.

It will be seen from'the foregoing description that the mechanism hereindescribed will efliciently operate to automatically feed the toolsdownwardly in proportion to the speed with which the drilling iseffected, this feeding operation being absolutely controlled. by thetools.

What is claimed is:

1. In a ,device of the character described the combination with awalking beam and a temper-screw suspended therefrom; of screw actuatingmechanism, means operated by the fall of the drilling tools for settingsaid mechanism, and means automatically operating upon the relaxation ofthe tools for actuating said mechanism to pay out the screw.

2. In a device of the character described the combination with a walkingbeam; of a temper-screw suspended therefrom, means for rotating thescrew, hydraulic mechanism operated by the fall of the drilling toolsfor setting said mechanism, and automatically operating means foractuating said mechanism upon the relaxation of the tools for rotatingthe screw.

3. In a device of the character described the combination with a walkingbeam, a cylinder suspended therefrom, a temper-screw, a supporttherefor, and means for confining a fluid between the support andcylinder; of screw rotating mechanism including a piston disposed to beactuated by the confined fluid upon the dropping of the drilling toolsto set the mechanism, and means for automatically actuating saidmechanism to pay out the screw upon the relaxation of the tools.

4. In a device of the character described the combination with a walkingbeam, a relatively fixed element carried thereby, a rela tively movableelement, and means for confining a fluid between said elements; of atemper-screw supported by one of the elements, actuating mechanismdisposed to be set by the confined fluid. upon the dropping of thedrilling tools, and means for automatically actuating said mechanismupon the relaxation of the tools for paying out the screw.

5. In a device of the character described the combination withcooperating relatively fixed and relatively movable fluid forcing means,and a walking beam supporting the same; of a temper-screw carried by oneof said fluid forcing means, screw feeding mech anism disposed to be setby the confined fluid upon the dropping of the drilling tools, and meansfor automatically actuating said mechanism to pay out the screw duringthe relaxation of the tools.

6. In a device of the character described. the combination with awalking beam; of a relatively fixed and a relatively movable fluidforcing member carried by the walking beam, supporting means rigid withthe movable member, a temper-screw carried thereby, means operatedduring the relaxation of the drilling tools for imparting a partialrotary motion to the temper-screw and means operated by the fluid underpressure for setting the screw actuating means.

7. In a device of the character described the combination with a walkingbeam; of a relatively fixed and a relatively movable fluid forcingmember carried by the beam, reins depending from the movable member, atemper-screw carried thereby, mechanism for imparting an intermittentrotary movement to the screw upon successive relaxations of the drillingtools, and means operated by the forcing of fluid for resetting saidmechanism upon the dropping of the drilling tools.

8. In a device of the character described the combination with a walkingbeam; of a relatively fixed and a relatively movable forcing membercarried by the beam, reins depending from the movable member, atemper-screw carried by the reins, mechanism for paying out the screwduring relaxation of the drilling tools, and means carried by thewalking beam and cooperating with said mechanism for positivelyoperating it up on the movement of the beam in one direction, andhydraulic means for setting said mechanism during the dropping of thedrilling tools.

9. In a device of the character described the combination with asupporting structure and fluid forcing devices supported thereby;

of a temper-screw connected to one of said devices, screw actuatingmechanism disposed to be set by the movement of the confined fluidduring the dropping of the drilling tools, and means for automaticallyactuating said mechanism to pay out the screw during the relaxation ofthe tools.

10. The combination with a walking beam, a temper-screw and movablyconnected fluid confining members for suspending said screw from thewalking beam; of mechanism for automatically rotating the screw duringthe relaxation of the drilling tools, and means operated by the confinedfluid for setting said mechanism upon the dropping of the tools.

11. In a device of the character described the combination with awalking beam, and a cylinder suspended therefrom; of a piston mounted towork within the cylinder, reins carried thereby, a temper-screwsupported by the reins, a ratchet wheel feathered upon said screw, meansfor actuating the ratchet wheel, a piston connected to and disposed toset said means, and means for directing a confined fluid from thecylinder and against the last mentioned piston upon the dropping of thedrilling tools.

12. In a device of the character-described the combination with awalking beam and a cylinder carried thereby; of a piston, reins carriedthereby, a temper-screw supported by the reins, a ratchet wheelfeathered upon said screw, a pawl for actuating said wheel, means forautomatically actuating the pawl to impart anintermittent rotary motionto the wheel and screw upon successive relaxations of the drillingtools, and means operated by a fluid confined between the piston andcylinder for setting the pawl between the operations of the ratchetwheel.

13. The combination with a walking beam,

.fluid forcing means carried thereby, a temper-screw supported by saidmeans; of mechanism for automatically actuating the screw uponrelaxation of the drilling tools, and means operated by the fluid underressure for setting said mechanism during t 1e dropping of the drillingtool.

14. The combination with a walking beam and a cylinder supportedthereby; of a piston mounted within the cylinder, reins carried thereby,a temper-screw supported by the reins, a ratchet wheel feathered uponthe screw, a reciprocating pawl engaging the ratchet, means forautomatically shifting the pawl in one direction during the relaxationof the drilling tools, and means operated by fluid confined between thecylinder for shifting the pawl in the opposite direction upon thedropping of the tools.

15. The combination with a walking beam; of a relatively fixed andrelatively movable fluid forcing member suspended from the walking beam,reins carried by the relatively movable member, a temper-screw supportedby the reins, a ratchet wheel feathered upon the screw, a reciprocatingpawl normally engaging said wheel, means for automatically shifting thepawl in one direction during the relaxation of the drilling tools, andmeans operated by a fluid confined between the relatively fixed and therelatively movable members for shifting the pawl in the oppositedirection during the dropping of the tools.

16. The combination with a walking beam and a relatively fixed and arelatively movable fluid forcing member carried thereby; of reinssupported by the relatively movable member, a tem er-screw supportedthereby, a revoluble e ement feathered upon the screw, reciprocatingmeans cooperating therewith for rotating said element, means operated bya fluid confined between the relatively fixed and relatively movablemembers for shifting said operating means in one direction during thedropping of the drilling tools, and means cooperating with the walkingbeam for shifting said operating means in the opposite direction duringthe relaxation of the tools.

17. The combination with a walking beam and a relatively fixed and arelatively movable fiuid forcing member carried thereby; of reinssupported by the relatively movable member, a tem erscrew supportedthereby, a revoluble e ement feathered upon the screw, reciprocatingmeans cooperating therewith for rotating said element, means operated bya fluid confined between the relatively fixed and relatively movablemembers for shifting said reciprocating means in one direction duringthe dropping of the drilling tools, weighted means mounted upon thewalking beam and connected to the fluid-operated means, and a plungerpivotally connected to the walking beam and cooperating with saidweighted means for positively shifting said operating means duringrelaxation of the tools.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT C. JONES.

Witnesses:

THoMAs M. COCHRAN, JAMES E. BRANDON, Jr.

